It's your birthday—which means it's time to start collecting presents. Many retailers offer freebies, coupons, or discounts for those on or near their birthday. We rounded up the best birthday freebies at some major retailers and restaurants, and put them in a handy chart to consult when your b-day comes around.

If you're looking for freebies on your birthday, you need to be aware that many places don't offer discounts just for showing up and flashing your ID. Frequently, birthday offers come in the form of snail mail or e-mail coupons, after signing up for a store's mailing list or loyalty program. So while these offers seem free, you're really trading away your personal information for these discounts. Still, for retailers you often frequent, it's not necessarily a bad trade—and you can expect deals to pop up in your inbox even when it's not your birthday.

For the programs that don't mail coupons, you should be prepared to show your ID as proof that it really is your birthday.

Offers may vary from location to location and you may find retailers not on this list that are willing to offer you specials on your birthday. If in doubt, ask!